🔍

Bordertown

SA 5268 • Rest of SA

3,095
Population (2021)
$74,828
Median Household Income
141.73 km²
Area
$220/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricAffordableAgriculturalRegional Centre

About Bordertown

Bordertown is a historic country town in the Tatiara District of South Australia, situated approximately 250 km southeast of Adelaide near the Victorian border. With a population of around 3,095, it serves as the commercial and service centre for the surrounding agricultural region. The town was established in 1852 and sits on the Dukes Highway, the main road route between Adelaide and Melbourne.

Bordertown offers a relaxed rural lifestyle with essential amenities including shops, schools, a hospital, and sporting facilities. The town is known for its farming heritage, particularly wool and grain production, and is the birthplace of former Prime Minister Bob Hawke. Residents enjoy an affordable cost of living, strong community ties, and proximity to natural attractions including Clayton Farm Heritage Museum and nearby national parks.

Bordertown falls under postcode 5268 and is governed by Tatiara Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the MacKillop electorate.

📍 Location

State
South Australia
Postcode
5268
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Tatiara
Federal Electorate
Barker
State Electorate
MacKillop
Type
Rural
Timezone
Adelaide (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-36.32°, 140.78°
Statistical Area
Rest of SA
Area
141.73 km²
Elevation
97m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$220
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$884
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
40 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.7%

27 state housing + 16 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Bordertown Railway Station
0.5 km
5 min

Bus Services

  • Firefly Express / V/Line — Adelaide 3-3.5 hours
  • Firefly Express / V/Line — Melbourne 5-6 hours
  • Regional bus — Mount Gambier 3 hours

Commute to Adelaide CBD

Distance
250 km
By Train
4-5 hours (The Overland, limited service)
By Bus
3-3.5 hours
By Car (Peak)
2.5-3 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
2.5 hours

🛣️ Most residents work locally; town is a self-contained regional centre

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre is compact and walkable but residential areas require a car for most trips

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,953
Census 2021
3,095
▲ 4.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$34,424
Personal Income 2021
$42,588
▲ 23.7% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$42,588 / yr
$819/wk
Household
$74,828 / yr
$1439/wk
Family
$92,768 / yr
$1784/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,268
Born Overseas 622

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Philippines 100
  • 2. Malaysia 93
  • 3. Afghanistan 68
  • 4. New Zealand 44
  • 5. China 39
  • 6. Pakistan 34
  • 7. England 22
  • 8. South Africa 19
  • 9. India 15
  • 10. Germany 14

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,210
English 1,092
German 280
Scottish 227
Irish 198
Filipino 118
Chinese 55
Australian Aboriginal 42
Italian 37
Maori 33

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,978
Both parents born in Australia
697
Both parents born overseas
210
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
42.9%
Christianity
41.4%
Islam
6.6%
Hinduism
1.2%
Buddhism
0.7%
Sikhism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
173 (5.6%)
5-14 years
353 (11.4%)
15-19 years
145 (4.7%)
20-24 years
199 (6.4%)
25-34 years
436 (14.1%)
35-44 years
393 (12.7%)
45-54 years
359 (11.6%)
55-64 years
354 (11.4%)
65-74 years
317 (10.2%)
75-84 years
249 (8.0%)
85+ years
109 (3.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bordertown known for? +

Bordertown is known as the birthplace of former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke and as the main service centre for the Tatiara district in SA's Limestone Coast region. The town hosts the Big Koala statue and serves the surrounding agricultural communities.

How far is Bordertown from Adelaide? +

Bordertown is approximately 270 kilometres south-east of Adelaide, with a drive time of around 3 hours via the South Eastern Freeway and Dukes Highway.

Does Bordertown have public transport? +

Bordertown is served by regional coach services connecting to Adelaide and Melbourne. The Dukes Highway provides the main road connection. A car is the most practical transport option for everyday needs.

What is the population of Bordertown? +

According to the 2021 Census, Bordertown has a population of approximately 3,095 residents within the Tatiara District Council local government area.

Is Bordertown a good place to live? +

Bordertown offers affordable country living in the Limestone Coast with all essential services including schools, hospital, and shopping. It suits farming families and retirees who value the relaxed lifestyle and strong community character of a regional SA town.

What is the postcode for Bordertown? +

The postcode for Bordertown is 5268.

What is the average income in Bordertown? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Bordertown is about $819 per week (around $42,600 per year). The median household income is $1,439 per week and the median family income is $1,784 per week.

What is the age profile of Bordertown? +

The median age in Bordertown is 40. The largest age group is 25–34 (436 residents, around 14%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 22% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

How much is rent in Bordertown? +

In Bordertown, the median weekly rent is $220, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $884 (2021 Census).